County Derry funeral director hits out at scammers behind fake Facebook profiles

A County Derry funeral director has hit out at those responsible for setting up fake Facebook pages in the names of people who have recently passed away.

Last weekend, at least three separate profiles were set up on the social media platform advertising a 'live stream' of funerals which were due to take place.

When users clicked on the link, it did not direct them to the church's webcam, instead it asked them to subscribe to a live stream by inputting personal details, including their name and address.

Dungiven-based McLaughlin Funeral Directors said personal details and pictures used on the fake profiles had been taken from death notices they had posted on Facebook just days before.

Back in September, a similar Facebook page was set up containing a link to a JustGiving page asking people to donate money towards a County Derry family's funeral expenses.

The scam page, which received some donations from well-meaning people, was later removed.

Deborah O'Dwyer, one of the owners and directors of McLaughlin Funeral Directors, has urged people to be vigilant.

“A lot of effort and empathy goes into writing a death notice and it can be very sad for a grieving family seeing and reading the death notice of their loved one that has died, it can make it all very real,” she said.
“Sadly the people behind these fake online pages and sites are pulling the notices apart, spelling the names of the deceased wrong, changing the place and times of funerals.

“In recent times a few fake JustGiving pages have been commenced also.”

Deborah has advised people not to give out personal details or make any donations to untrusted sites.
“I would like to gently remind people to look at our Facebook page or Funeral Times - two entrusted sources for information regarding wake and funeral arrangements,” she continued.

“In relation to donations in lieu of flowers, please contact McLaughlin Funeral Directors as it says on our death notices for us to take your details and pass it onto the family, do not give your personal details or subscribe to untrusted sources or sites.”
Deborah added: “No one needs to pay any money to view a funeral mass or service, again details of church webcams and their links are given on our death notices.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Sean McGlinchey has described those behind the fake social media pages as 'the lowest of the low'.

“These families have lost loved ones and they don't need to be seeing these fake profiles with their family members' pictures or details on it, it has caused a lot of distress,” he said.

“It's absolutely disgusting that these profiles have been set up – those responsible are the lowest of the low, in my opinion.”

Councillor McGlinchey says he believes more should be done in an effort to trace those behind the fake profiles.

“I think more should be done in an effort to trace those responsible for setting up these pages, or similar pages. They should not get away with it,” he added.